the feeling that there is no hope and that you can do nothing to improve a difficult or worrying situation

a mood/sense of despair 绝望的情绪／感觉

They're in (the depths of) despair over/about the money they've lost. 他们对找回丢失的钱已经不抱（任何）希望了。

To her teacher's despair, Nicole never does the work that she's told to do. 妮科尔从不做作业，让她的老师感到非常失望。

Their fourth year without rain drove many farmers to despair. 第四年仍然没有雨水，这让许多农民感到非常绝望。

to cause someone such difficulties that they do not know how to deal with you

He's the despair of his parents because he shows no interest in getting a job. 他对找工作没有任何兴趣，让父母感到非常头疼。

At school, I was extremely badly behaved and the despair of my poor teachers.

She failed all her exams and was the despair of her mother.

The whole band were the despair of their manager.

That whole family must be the despair of the authorities.

to feel despair about something or someone

Don't despair! We'll find a way out! 不要绝望！我们会找到办法的！

I despair at/over the policies of this government. 我对该政府的政策感到极度失望。

They began to despair of ever being rescued. 他们开始对获救失去了希望。